​Pickleball fundraising program marries popular sport with cancer prevention.​​​

The Association of Pickleball Players (APP), the American Cancer Society, and UTR Sports are teaming up to fight cancer through Doubles Dink for Cancer, a first-of-its-kind community-based fundraising program. The year-round program is designed to unite communities around the beloved sport of pickleball and in support of a single mission: to end cancer as we know it, for everyone. And 70% of proceeds from registration fees will be donated to further the American Cancer Society’s mission.

With nearly 50 million adult Americans playing pickleball, Doubles Dink for Cancer invites players of all levels to play pickleball or organize an event to celebrate cancer survivors, remember loved ones lost to cancer and raise funds to improve the lives of people with cancer and their families. Hosted on UTR Sports’ innovative software, these volunteer-led, round robin doubles tournaments can happen anytime and anywhere—from a local pickleball or tennis club, to community courts or even homemade, temporary courts lined with chalk. Events are designed to be fun and open to everyone, including the most experienced pickleball players and people picking up a paddle for the first time. Doubles Dink for Cancer also will showcase how pickleball can help reduce your risk of cancer; a healthy diet and physical activity are linked with less cancer risk. 

The program is live in Florida, providing a pilot launch in one of the strongest pickleball communities in the world before its national roll out in summer 2024. Community members interested in planning a local event or serving as a Doubles Dink for Cancer ambassador can access resources and additional information on the national roll-out at theapp.global/doublesdinkforcancer.